Mazda Premacy Review (1999 to 2005)

Quick Summary

The Mazda Premacy is a mini-MPV with a lot going for it. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, the squeaky wheels get the oil. And whilst the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira were squeaking for all they were worth, the Premacy has been quietly ignored. For the keen driver, this is probably the best of the mini-MPVs, and the fact that it's also one of the best looking also counts in its favour. Weigh in the fact that it's super-reliable and is available at bargain used prices and the Premacy starts to merit some serious attention. UK used buyers must wake up to this fact and drive up residual values. Until they do, this could just be the best mini-MPV used deal around.

Overall:

Models Covered: (5 dr MPV 1.8 petrol 2.0 diesel [GXi, GSi])

PREM-FRAICHE

The Mazda Premacy has suffered the same fate as every Mazda of recent years bar the MX-5. A perfectly good product, but without that extra something that tempts people to buy them. Call it inadequate marketing, weak advertising or poor brand presence, but Mazda haven't been able to translate product development into UK sales. The Premacy is a case in point. Launched to a warm press reaction, it has suffered at the hands of the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira. This will be music to the ears of used buyers. Any model which suffers in this way makes a great used purchase. With the Mazda's residuals not holding up as well as its more successful rivals, a used Premacy is perhaps the best mini-MPV bargain, combining as it does a good product with low initial purchase and running costs.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale

History of the Premacy

With increasing co-operation between Ford and Mazda, the most surprising aspect of the Premacy's development was that it's UK sales were not further decimated by a Ford version. The Premacy is a proper stand-alone Mazda product, being launched to the UK in July 1999. Initial impressions were generally favourable, although it was damned with the faint praise that it was 'good for a Mazda.' Few could see buyers being tempted away from the flexibility offered by the Vauxhall Zafira or the ingrained slickness of the Renault Scenic. And so it proved. Upon launch three models were available, the 1.8-litre petrol GXi and GSi and the 2.0-litre diesel GXi. The Premacy did have pricing on its side, offering a 1.8 litre petrol engine for the same prices as the Scenic's 1.4, and over £1,000 cheaper than an equivalent engined Zafira. Nonetheless, it probably fell between the stools of these two premium offerings and the vast welter of budget mini-MPVs that were springing from the Japan and South Korea. In early 2002the Premacy range was mildly revised with a five-point grille, a bumper moulding with yawning orifices below the bumper and more smoothly integrated headlamps. The old car was no duffer in the style department, but the later Premacy is a sharper looker.At the back buyers got slicker combination tail lamp pods with three oval lights arranged vertically. A 2.0-litre petrol version made an appearance, and the range-topping Sport variant also got a deep front and rear air dam and subtle side skirts. Revised alloy wheels and wheel trim designs were also on offer. The 1.8 soldiered on in base model trim and plusher upholstery was used across the range.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale

Mazda Premacy Road Test

This is where the Mazda comes into its own. Similarly priced to the 1.6-litre Renault Scenics, the 1.8-litre Premacy models perform similarly as well, but the handling is far better. Body roll and lurch is controlled more effectively and there's also less high-speed float. Of the two 1.8-litre units, the GSi is perkier, with 113bhp to the GXi's 98. The driving position is not too high, and the Premacy is fun to hustle about. The GSi makes rest to 60 in 11.1s on the way to 112mph in its fastest form. If speed's not your thing, there's also the 2.0-litre direct injection diesel for GXi customers that manages the sprint to 60mph in a respectable 12.4 seconds whilst returning around 50mpg.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale

Buying a Mazda Premacy

The Premacy suffers from the usual Mazda failing of insubstantial plastics qualities. This may appear a trivial complaint, but despite the decent equipment levels, the Premacy never feels like a sturdy product. It's obvious where costs have been cut, and it could have been done in a cleverer way. Check the interior for tears, stains and snapped off fittings, and also inspect the luggage bay and the seat backs for signs of damage when loading. Otherwise insist on a service history. Mechanically the Premacy benefits from Mazda's usual reputation for excellence.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale

Mazda Premacy Typical Pricing

Whilst a used Premacy is still quite a scarce item, values are beginning to filter through. A 1999 T registered 1.8 GXi will fetch £5,700 whilst the better-equipped 1.8 GSi of the same age will be worth £4,300. Due to their relative rarity, values for the diesel-engined model have yet to settle, although £4,425 represents an opening bargain price for a 1999 T-registered edition. Insurance is Group 6 for the GXi models and Group 7 for the GSi trim levels.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale

Mazda Premacy Parts

(approx. based on 1999 Premacy 1.8 GXi) A new exhaust system will cost over £550, but aside from that little shock, Premacy parts prices aren't premier league. A clutch assembly tots up to about £125, whilst front brake pads are around £60 a set. Rear brake shoes come to £65, whilst a new radiator will be just over £100. An alternator will be £185, whilst a dead starter motor will cost £145 to replace. Those big headlamp units look costly, but are a surprisingly reasonable £80 for a new one.
Used Mazda Premacy for sale